ASTM_D_3944_-_12_2017.pdf

Designation:D394412(Reapproved 2017)Standard Test Method forSolidification Point of Petroleum Wax1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3944;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a procedure for rapidly deter-mining the solidification point of petroleum wax.NOTE1This test method is also applicable to similar materials such assynthetic waxes but the precision may vary.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.1.2.1 ExceptionThe values given in parentheses are forinformation only1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax(Cooling Curve)D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of PetroleumWax,Including PetrolatumD938 Test Method for Congealing Point of PetroleumWaxes,Including PetrolatumE1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 solidification point of petroleum wax,nthat tempera-ture in the cooling curve of the wax where the slope of thecurve first changes significantly as the wax sample changesfrom a liquid to a solid state.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 A 50 mg sample of wax is placed in a test tube atambient temperature and heated above the solidification pointof the wax sample.A thermocouple probe,attached to arecorder,is inserted into the wax sample,which is allowed tocool at room temperature.The thermocouple response of thecooling wax traces a curve on the chart paper of the recorder.The first significant change in the slope of the curve is thesolidification point.5.Significance and Use5.1 The related methods of determining the melt point ofpetroleum wax are relatively time-consuming.This methodendeavors to reduce the duration of testing significantly and atthe same time maintain a reasonable precision.This methodcan be useful for quality control of petroleum waxes as well asresearch and product development work on these waxes.5.2 For methods used for testing melt points of petroleumwaxes,see Tests Method D87,D127,including Petrolatum andTest Method D938.6.Apparatus6.1 Thermocouple,with an iron-constantan junction.36.2 Recorder,capable of recording voltage and equippedwith a time-base module.The recorder should have thefollowing minimum specifications:6.2.1 Span,0 mV to 10 mV or other suitable ranges.6.2.2 Accuracy,0.25%of full scale.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.10.0A on Physical/Chemical Properties.Current edition approved June 1,2017.Published July 2017.Originally approvedin 1980.Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D3944 12.DOI:10.1520/D3944-12R17.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Suitable thermocouples are available from:Claud S.Gordon Co.,5710Kenosha St.,Richmond,IL 60071,(815)678-2211.For“J”(iron-constantan)junction the following is suitable:Xactpak Type MM Assembly,Catalog No.402-1101.Junction:grounded(G)Transition fitting:TH 2780-020Thermocouple wire:J30-1-305L(length of metal sheath)E(lead length):specify length desired.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1 6.2.3 Step Response Time,1 s full scale,3 s full scale is alsoappropriate.6.2.4 Zero Junction/Reference Junction/Temperature Com-pensated JunctionMust be included.6.3 TFE-Fluorocarbon Holder AdapterSee Fig.1 and Fig.2.46.4 TFE-Fluorocarbon Disk Centering GuideSee Fig.1and Fig.2.46.5 Test Tubes,6 mm by 50 mm.6.6 Vial,25 mm by 52 mm.6.7 Apparatus for Calibrating Temperature Recorder:6.7.1